JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Hokkaido Ordinary Pass

3DAYS

5DAYS

7DAYS

FLEXIBLE 4DAYS

Hokkaido(北海道) is the largest and northeast prefecture in Japan; it is also one of the most popular places to visit in Japan. There are some must visit spots like Furano, Tomamu and Niseko area. As this prefecture is the largest one in Japan, so purchase a JR(Japan Rail) Hokkaido Rail Pass is good idea to travel around this lovely place. JR Hokkaido Rail Pass is a special discounted pass available to foreign traveller visiting Japan under the status of “Temporary visitor”. Thanks to the unlimited access to JR Hokkaido Rail and certain buses, you can travel from Hakodate to Abashiri and purchase the 3 Day, 5 Day, or 7 Day purchase on consecutive days. You can also choice the flexible 4 Day pass which is valid on for calendar days of your choice within a 10 days period.

DELIVERY

Delivery and handling fee charge to be added (Courier Post NZ$10.00).
(Please Note: You may expect some delay for Courier Post during the holiday seasons.)

JTB is not liable for lost or misplaced passes sent via Courier Post.

ELIGIBILITY

If you are a tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing:

You must be visiting Japan under the entry status of “Temporary visitor” according to Japan Immigration Law. When you enter Japan for sightseeing, entry personnel will stamp the passport as “Temporary visitor”. Only a person who has a passport bearing this stamp can use a JAPAN RAIL PASS. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, “Temporary visitor” status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.

If you are a Japanese national living in a foreign country:

You cannot use JR(Japan Rail) Hokkaido Rail Passes.

In a rare case when travellers have dual passports (Japanese & Other), unless your valid non Japanese passport is stamped with “Temporary Visitor”, issuance of JR Hokkaido Rail pass will be refused.

EXCHANGE

JR(Japan Rail) Exchange Offices (Offices and service hours are subject to change or discontinuation without notice. ):

Sapporo Station West Ticket Gate JR Information Desk, daily from 8:30AM to 7PM

New Chitose Airport Station JR Information Desk, daily from 8:30AM to 7PM

VALIDITY

The valid period of a JR(Japan Rail) Hokkaido Rail Pass is the consecutive 3, 5 or 7 days or flexible 4 days within a 10 day period beginning on the date the PASS is first used.

Within three months from the date the Exchange Order was issued, you must turn in your Exchange Order to obtain your JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (for example, an Exchange Order issued on 15APR would have to be turned in by 14JUL). At that time, it is necessary to specify the date that you want to start using the Pass. It can be any date within three month from the date the Exchange Order was issued.

Once the PASS has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed.

The 3-Day, and 5-Day 7-Day pass allows you to choose the starting day, and can be used for either 3 or 5 or 7 consecutive days from the date of issuance.

The date of use cannot be selected with the Flexible 4-Day Ticket. It is effective the day you either purchase or exchange it, that being day one, and continues to be effective for ten days in which it can be used any four days either consecutive or not.

The lines included in the pass: the JR Hokkaido metro lines and buses.

There is an extra charge for the sleeping car and carpet car.

The JR Hokkaido bus routes available to pass holders are limited

There is an extra charge for boarding the Twinkle Bus

With the Hokkaido Rail Pass you can board unreserved seating or reserved seating on all JR Hokkaido local trains, rapid trains and limited express trains.If you wish to ride in Green Car (reserved seating) for the limited express, you will need to purchase a ticket for both the limited express and reserved seating.

You can also board JR Hokkaido buses within Sapporo. Of the JR Hokkaido Bus Lines, routes between Sapporo – Asahikawa, Monbetsu, Hiro’s , Kiroro, Obihiro, Erimo, Shin Sapporo – Atsubetsu Stadium, JR Shiroishi Sta. – Sapporo Dome and temporary buses are not included. Express buses between Sapporo and Otaru can be boarded if the bus is a JR Hokkaido bus. (Chuo Buses are NOT included)

If you ride trains that overlap with east Japan rail lines, the boarding portion of the ticket will include the last station of the JR Hokkaido Line which is Naka Oguni Station, and the fare will cover the first (or last) stop on the JR Hokkaido Line.

BOOKING

In order to travel in first class (Green cars) you will have to pay additional fees.

To access the platforms, show your pass to the JR(Japan Rail) Hokkaido staff located at the platform gates.

To reserve a seat, ask the JR Hokkaido staff at the ticket office.

It is a personal pass. Please always carry your passport when using the Pass as station and train staff may check it.

CANCELLATION

Refund can only be made with the original JR(Japan Rail) Pass Exchange Order within one year of the date of issue.

After the pass is exchanged in Japan, the ticket is non refundable and non changeable.

Neither an Exchange Order nor a Japan Rail Pass can be reissued if lost or stolen.

10% of the price will be charged as a refund handling fee.

Credit card surcharge and courier fee are non refundable.

Please read the general booking conditions carefully as they incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by JTB New Zealand Ltd. (“JTB”)